First Black Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Tech honored in new Pentagon Exhibit

Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate (BMCM) Sherman Byrd, the first Black Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician in the U.S. Navy, is being honored in a first of its kind exhibit by the United States Department of Defense at the Pentagon.

The first Black Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technician in the U.S. Navy

On April 23, part of a corridor in the Pentagon was dedicated with a ribbon cutting ceremony to honor the joint explosive ordnance disposal mission and the opening of the exhibit in which the history-making Byrd is prominently featured.

Throughout his career, BMCM Byrd served on 10 ships, and supported the Secret Service in the protection of U.S. Presidents Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson and Nixon. Byrd was a native of Mississippi and lived and trained in Virginia, where he also passed away.

“I am overjoyed to see the historic naval contributions of my father be honored at the Pentagon,” said Cynthia Byrd Conner, daughter of BMCM Sherman Byrd, who published the book on his career disarming bombs “Quiet Strong” several years ago.

“While he did not bring a lot of attention to himself, he was the epitome of a ‘sea daddy,’ mentoring young sailors until they became subject matter experts.  He led by example while performing such a dangerous job, and he did it quietly.”

Department of Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exhibit

The new Department of Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exhibit is the first and only exhibit in the Pentagon that represents the history, mission, culture and tools of the Joint EOD Force.

U.S. Navy’s EOD Division

The U.S. Navy’s EOD Division was founded in 1941 after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor.  Technicians who are part of the division render safe unexploded bombs and ordnances, including improvised, chemical, biological and nuclear – both on land and underwater.

“It’s truly an honor to officially open the Pentagon’s first and only explosive ordnance disposal exhibit,” said Melissa Dalton, deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“The brave men and women who volunteer for this dangerous special duty are out there in our communities, on our military installations, traveling with the president and deployed across the world every day of the year.”

Ribbon cutting ceremony

More than three dozen members of the Byrd family from California, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina and Illinois attended the ribbon cutting.

Joining the U.S. Navy in 1947, Byrd became the first Black American to graduate from EOD School in Indian Head, Maryland in 1958. He previously graduated from the Deep-Sea Diving School at Washington Navy Yard and Naval School Underwater Swimmers, in Key West, Florida. In 1969, he was promoted to Master Chief Boatswain’s Mate, a rank that only 1% of all enlisted personnel achieve.

Byrd died at the age of 40 in 1971 in Virginia from a heart attack following a physical training exercise. In 2009, the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training and Evaluation Unit 2 facility was dedicated in his honor. In 2022, he was also honored with a Resolution in Jacksonville, Florida, where his daughter lives.

Tour the Department of Defense Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) exhibit

Those wishing to reserve a Pentagon Tour must be 18 years or older and a United States citizen or alien admitted for permanent residence in the United States.

Before the tour, all adult tour members must register as Pentagon Visitors and be cleared by the Pentagon Force Protection Agency to enter the Pentagon for the tour.

To reserve a tour, please visit the Pentagon Tour Reservation Portal.